Entries by Paralegals

2021 Reflections and Moving Forward

By Shawana Almendarez Another year of unprecedented times has caused the council to experience some transitions in its members whose terms have not yet expired. I am pleased to announce that Yazmeen Gadalla will serve as Interim Treasurer and Kimberly Johnson will serve as an Interim Council Member for the remainder of the year. Jennifer […]

Preparing for the Holidays

By Yazmeen O. Gadalla Hello, fellow division members, and happy holidays! As we come to the end of December, we have made it through another year together, adjusting to the challenges the world has presented us. I wish you all the best as we continue through our journeys! With these challenges, the holidays can be […]

Kernodle-Hodges Receives the Paralegal Division’s Endorsement for the NCSB Board of Paralegal Certification

By Shawana Almendarez NCBA Paralegal Division Special Nomination Committee The Notification On June 23, 2021, the North Carolina State Bar Board of Paralegal Certification (hereinafter “Board”) notified the Paralegal Division (hereinafter “division”) of a call for nominations pursuant to 27 N.C.A.C. Chapter 1G – Section .0105 to fill an upcoming vacancy on the Board.

Welcome, Division Members

By Shawana Almendarez Welcome to all our division members. Thanks to all who have served and will serve! I am honored to serve as the 2021-2022 Paralegal Division Chair. Last year, our division worked during unprecedented times and continued to advance its mission and achieved many goals.  The Paralegal Council and its committees served our […]

Volunteer to Prepare Expunction Petitions Remotely

By Rachel Royal  In August 2021, the North Carolina Pro Bono Resource Center (NCPBRC) will partner with the Mecklenburg County Clerk of Superior Court’s Office and SelfServe Center, as well as the Charlotte DA’s and PD’s Offices, to offer advice regarding applicants’ eligibility for expunction relief under North Carolina law. Applicants will meet with a […]

Paralegal Spotlight: Mary Accardi

By Mary Accardi I became a paralegal a few years ago, not as a recent college graduate nor as my first profession, but as someone looking for divine intervention. My younger self was a stay-at-home mom until my divorce. At the time, I was determined to support myself, and against the advice of my attorney, […]

2021 Distinguished Paralegal Award Winner: Alicia Mitchell-Mercer

Alicia Mitchell-Mercer has been selected to receive the 2021 Distinguished Paralegal Award. The award will be presented at the 2021 NCBA Annual Meeting, which will take place virtually on Thursday and Friday, June 17-18. Mitchell-Mercer will be honored during the Awards & Recognitions Presentation on Thursday, June 17, at 5 p.m. Mitchell-Mercer received a B.S. […]

Paralegal Spotlight: Laurie Hayden

By the Communications Committee  Paralegal Spotlight is the division’s monthly publication designed to share division members’ stories with colleagues, inspire present and future paralegal professionals, and strengthen awareness of the profession and association. Each month we select one amazing paralegal from among our membership and ask them to share a little about their personal and professional […]

Elephants in Legal Organizations: Gossip and Destructive Politics

By Alicia Mitchell-Mercer Frequently, legal professionals find themselves in a dual role – leaders and managers. While there are many similarities between those two roles, the primary distinction is that a leader focuses more on people while a manager focuses more on the technical aspects of completing a project. Legal professionals need both skill sets […]